By DayakDaily Team
BAU, Aug 16: The new St Leonard Church in Kampung Atas here was officially opened today, marking a significant milestone for the local Christian community after about four years of construction.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), the opening was officiated by Kuching Catholic Archbishop Dato Dr Simon Poh and was followed by a blessing ceremony and Mass led by Poh together with St Stephen Bau Parish Rector Peter Liston.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi, Sarawak Research and Development Movement Association (REDEEMS) president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, and St Leonard Church Atas Bau KGK chairman Fidelis Colgeon Albert Ahin.
The new church was conceived in 2016 to replace the existing building, with the first project proposal prepared in 2019.
However, construction faced several challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), and funding constraints, which resulted in delays.
To secure funding, the committee prepared an architectural plan for submission to the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), with an initial allocation of RM100,000 approved in August 2020.
Applications for additional Unifor grants continued throughout the construction period from 2021 to 2025.
The project also received government support through Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) allocations channelled via the Bau District Council and the Public Works Department (JKR).
A fundraising committee was also established to mobilise contributions from registered Christian families, the local community, businesses, corporate entities, as well as local figures and entrepreneurs.
The combined support from various parties enabled the main church building to be completed in September 2025, marking an important achievement for the St Leonard Church community and residents of Kampung Atas. — DayakDaily
